150 Years Ago -  1873

A man may as well expect to grow stronger by always eating, as wiser by always reading.

The United States steamer Juanita has arrived at St. John, Newfoundland from her search after the steamer Polaris and her crew. The Polaris is sunk near Littleton Island.

Our Navy has fourteen admirals and twenty-five commodores.

They who rush from the county at the first cooling of the weather cheat themselves of the sight of the most beautiful phase of nature.

The best horse in the Biddeford Fire Department has no tongue, that useful member having been torn out by the roots two winters ago by being frozen to an iron drinking trough. He was doctored up, got well and now weighs 1,450 pounds.

Jacob Weisheimer, formerly of Jeffersonville, is now permanently located in New York City.

The scene of last week’s disaster, the bridge which crosses the Callicoon Creek at George Lawrence’s mill, has not yet been repaired.

140 Years Ago - 1883

J.C. Geer of Long Eddy shipped 16 feet of rattlesnakes (four in number) to E.M. Worth, the museum man, now temporarily located in Rochester, N.Y.

Henry Wood has bought a part of the orchard of C. Davis, and is building a house on it.

The pastor of the Presbyterian Church of this village, Rev. F.H. Barnhardt, will be installed as such on the 7th of next month.

Over 50 carloads of produce have been shipped from Callicoon Depot this fall.

The Post G.A.R. at Callicoon Depot held a campfire on the 13th inst.; a very pleasant time is reported.

We learned that a barn of Wendelin Smith, near Youngsville, was destroyed by fire on Thursday evening of last week.

The gay song bird is heard no more.

John H. Lawrence of Youngsville has just returned from New York City with a full line of goods for his new store.

130 Years Ago - 1893

William H. Cook, a painter of Livingston Manor, was precipitated from a scaffold at Roscoe Wednesday, October 11, and instantly killed. He was about 28 years of age.

A little snow fell at Lava yesterday morning.

Mrs. Hathaway, an artist of considerable ability, is giving lessons to a large class at Cochecton.

The marriage of Ira B. Cronk of New York and Caroline Krantz of Callicoon was solemnized at the latter place on Sunday, October 15. Rev. H. Unlaub united the pair.

John Ross, proprietor of the Jeffersonville grist mill, has secured the services of a good miller, and will hereafter accommodate the public with anything in that line.

Casper Eggler and Miss Sadie Bookmiller of Manhattan, Pa., were married at Binghamton on Monday, October 16.

A very pretty wedding was celebrated Wednesday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Bennedum of Lake Huntington, when their daughter, Christine, was married to W. F. Henry of Brooklyn, by Rev. C.W. Miller of Kenoza Lake.

In Brooklyn, on October 4, by Rev. Dr. J.L. Everett, Miss Kate Ebert, who is well known in this vicinity, was married to Charles Creifields of Brooklyn.

The boards of registry sit tomorrow. Women who would like to vote, and do not mind telling their age, will have the opportunity.

We are to have another bowling alley in town. Our “neighbor” Frank Lober will build one on his property along the Callicoon stream opposite his residence on East Main St.

120 Years Ago - 1903

The Jeffersonville Supply Co. was incorporated at Albany on October 15 for the purpose of conducting a general store at Jeffersonville. The capital stock is $30,000 and the directors are Conrad Metzger, Chas. Schmidt and H.U. Krenrich, all merchants of this place.

A very pretty autumn wedding occurred at the residence of Mrs. Libbie Sloan of Bethel, on October 14, when her daughter, Miss May, became the bride of William M. Judson of that place.

A.C. Wilcox & Co., bankers of New York, who a few weeks ago opened a branch bank in Jeffersonville, have arranged to open a bank soon at Roscoe. The bank will be in the Review building until spring.

John Huggler, who sold his Kenoza Lake Hotel last spring to P. Behrmann, has, we understand, bought the Jones Hotel at East Branch.

Only nine votes were cast at the annual election of the Jeffersonville fire district at the engine house Tuesday night. William Bollenbach and L.P. Faubel were re-elected commissioner and treasurer, respectively.

Nut coal is selling at $7 a ton, delivered, here.

Buy a Sun Typewriter and be up to date in your business. William Lieb, Jeffersonville.

Franklin H. Neuberger, who bought of Mike Bornberger the triangular lot, known as the Maltby Lot, on the southern slope, is preparing to build a house which, we understand, will be for sale.

The water main of the stock company system in this village was cut in front of the post office last week and an outlet made to the creek there. The downtown section is abandoned, as there are now no consumers on that portion.

110 Years Ago - 1913

A meeting to organize a grange was held at the Mansion House last Saturday evening.

While Fred Duttweiler of this place was returning from Liberty Friday, his twelve passenger auto stage caught fire from the engine about two miles this side of Liberty. By use of dirt, Duttweiler and his passengers succeeded in extinguishing the flames but not until about all the woodwork on the car had been destroyed or badly damaged. The car was towed home.

W.J. Grishaber has the plumbing and hot water heating job and Walter Coenen the electric light wiring in the new concrete bank building.

The Reformed Church people have started a movement to build a parsonage and the building will be started as soon as a suitable lot near the church can be secured.

One of the saddest fatal accidents ever happening in the vicinity of White Sulphur Springs, occurred Friday when Merl Tremper, 16, who had been hunting all day, came out of the woods in the rear of Henry Knack’s barn, and in attempting to cross a fence for the purpose of visiting with Gus Knack, who was plowing in a nearby field, was instantly killed by the discharge of the twelve gauge shotgun which he was carrying.

Artist Wil Rau and wife of Hoboken are spending the week here with his mother.

A blight of frost has attached the Union Chapel bell, and its tone is badly cracked.

100 Years Ago - 1923

Looking into the muzzle of his rifle to determine why a cartridge failed to explode, resulted early Sunday in the death of Donald Kortright, 12-year-old son of Asa Kortright of Neversink.

Detective Benjamin King of New York is stopping at Delap’s Marion House, Kenoza Lake, recuperating his strength after being in the hospital six  weeks with a bullet wound.

Louis Mall had a husking bee the other night and about 30 neighbors and friends turned out to help husk the corn. About 15 ladies also came to fill in the party for the festivities following the husking. Only one disappointment since there wasn’t a red ear of corn to be found: hence there was no official kissing.

Mrs. Ida M. Kohler, postmistress, has had the telephone removed from the post office because of the great annoyance to the force by people who ring them up at their busiest time and for the most trivial reasons. The telephone was installed by former Postmaster Fred W. Schadt for the accommodation of the public, but the privilege was so greatly abused by many that it soon became too much of a needless strain on the post office force. Now these people wil have to go to the office to ask if the mail is in or why they didn’t get a letter.

Mrs. Gertrude B. Sander of Jeffersonville and Philip A. Steinhauser of Callicoon Center were married at the Callicoon Center parsonage by Rev. Straub at noon Tuesday.

The Jeffersonville Rifle Club, recently organized, has established a large range at John Fuhrer’s on Swiss Hill where the boys meet for practice. At the first meeting, Charles Hick made the highest score – 20 out of a possible 25. The honor man at the next shoot was Doc VanKeuren, who scored 18.

90 Years Ago - 1933

Donald L. Albee of Roscoe, deputy grand master of Masons for the Delaware-Sullivan District, will make his official visit to Delaware Lodge at Callicoon tomorrow night and Callicoon Lodge at Jeffersonville a week from tomorrow night.

Ivan Brown of Bethel has been named to fill the vacancy for the Democratic Town Clerk nomination in Bethel, caused by the declination of Arthur Moray, the regular nominee.

Ernest H. Fimpel of Brooklyn spent the weekend at the Fimpel cottage here and brought with him John Luhrs of Astoria and Charles Conrad of Brooklyn, also members of the Long Island Grotto Band, who were here for the first time, and were much impressed with the beautiful scenery.

John Henry Glassel, aged 77, and for many years a justice of the peace in this town, died October 18.

Miss Leona N. Reichman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Reichman of Callicoon, and Anthony C. Buddenhagen of Hortonville, were married October 8 at the Callicoon Center parsonage by Rev. J.E. Straub.

Mary Drum of Milanville and Floyd Keesler of Cochecton were united in marriage at the Honesdale Methodist parsonage on Monday, October 9.

John Werlau Jr. of Hortonville and Miss Edith Townsend, daughter of Mrs. Emma Townsend and the late Walter Townsend of Hurd, were married during the early summer by Rev. J.E. Straub in Callicoon Center.

Thursday morning saw the actual beginning of the Civilian Conservation Camp at Narrowsburg, with temporary headquarters at Peggy Runway Lodge.

80 Years Ago - 1943

A son was born Thursday at the Hamilton Avenue Hospital in Monticello to PFC and Mrs. Clifford Bischoff of Lake Huntington.

Among those accepted at Binghamton yesterday for the armed forces were Willard V Schadt and Oscar Schaefer for the Army and William Erdman for the Navy.

The local firemen’s annual supper and dance at Kenoza Falls Lodge drew people from all parts and it proved the biggest affair of its kind ever held by the firemen. Over 900 suppers were served.

The Bethany Deaconesses of Brooklyn have closed their summer rest home in Jeffersonville for the winter.

A  very  colorful  confirmation ceremony was held at St. George’s Church on Friday morning when 113 from all the parishes in Western Sullivan served by the Franciscan priests received the sacraments of confirmation from the hands of Bishop Stephen J. Donohue, auxiliary bishop of New York.

70 Years Ago - 1953

Mr. and Mrs. Gus Schmidt observed their 18th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, October 20. Mr. Schmidt returned home from Liberty-Loomis Hospital on Friday, after seven weeks there.

Relatives of Capt. and Mrs. Michael R. Cullen of Goshen learned Tuesday of the drowning of their son, eight-year-old Michael, in a water pit near Tokyo, Japan, on October 8. Capt. Cullen, younger brother of Thomas J.V. Cullen of Chester, publisher of the Sullivan County Record, is stationed in the Air Force near Tokyo with his wife and their five children. Capt. Cullen’s family left Goshen last September and joined him on October 5th. The family will return to Goshen about November first and burial services will be held at St. John’s Church there.

Mrs. Jennie Williams of Jeffersonville is your Democratic candidate for the office of Collector in the Town of Callicoon. She opposes the Republican incumbent, Mrs. Helen Doetsch.

Members of Protection Hose Co. No. 1 in Jeff today expressed their thanks to all those who helped make their firemen’s supper and the grand opening of the new Jeff Firemen’s Hall the success that it was Saturday night. There were 1200 dinners served. It took 1075 lbs. of turkey and 800 pounds of potatoes. Dancing to the music of the popular Jeff Modernaires completed the occasion.

Residents of this area learned Tuesday of the loss of Lt. Comdr. Carl F. Molusky, son of Mr. and Mrs. George F. Molusky of Callicoon, in a crash of a United States Navy plane near Keflafic Airport at Reykjavik, Iceland, Sunday. The Navy officer was well known in Jeff and Sullivan County as a fine teacher and athlete.

Arnold Sims, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, proprietors of the Halfway House, Kenoza Lake, entered the Navy on Tuesday and was expected to be sent to Bainbridge, Md., with the Seabees.

60 Years Ago - 1963

Dr. Robert E. Knack, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Knack of Jeffersonville, is now at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton. He holds the title of assistant radiologist under Dr. Andrew B. Adams, chief radiologist.

The merchandise winner at Amber’s this Saturday was Dick Herbert of Jeffersonville.

G. Calvert “Cal” Crary of Liberty, for several years a delegate of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc. to the Conservation Council, was elected one of its three vice presidents.

Under the direction of the Rev. Rodney E. Houck, confirmation classes are being held at the First Presbyterian Church in Jeffersonville. Confirmation will be held Palm Sunday, March 22, 1964.

Sixty-four members and guests attended the Sullivan County Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative Annual Meeting held at Ted’s Restaurant in Jeffersonville on Tuesday evening, October 8. County Supervisor George Ratner of Claryville reported that there are 42 herds on the  testing program with a total of 1450 cows being tested for production and butterfat each month.

50 Years Ago - 1973

County Publicity Director Ben Kaplan presented a first place trophy to Steven Woznick of Ridgefield Park, N.J., who won the 2nd Annual Sullivan County Columbus Day Bicycle Marathon in a new record time of 1 hour 13 minutes, shaving 9 minutes off last year’s pace-setter. The race was sanctioned by the Amateur Bicycle League of America.

Terri Moran of Hortonville was chosen Homecoming Queen at the annual Homecoming Dance, sponsored by the Delaware Valley Central School Booster Club.

Lisette Low of Tri-Valley Central School and Donna Sauer of DVCS were awarded first and second place respectively in the poster contest sponsored by the Sullivan County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, in honor of Fire Prevention Week.

Mavis Gager has been named Master of Unity Grange #1710, Inc. of Galilee. Pa.

Mrs. Millicent Flynn, who is retiring at the end of the year as Sullivan County Clerk, was honored Sunday by her fellow citizens at the Rockland House in Rockland. She was presented a bouquet of roses from her courthouse staff, a plaque commemorating her long service to the county and community, and an engraved time piece from her many friends.

Just filling out a coupon won a Kitchen-Aid dishwasher for Marilyn Caldiero of Hortonville. Drawing was held recently in the showrooms of the Sullivan County Wholesalers of Monticello, with local representatives Tom and Helen Forster.

40 Years Ago - 1983

Nearly $600,000 in federal grant money will be apportioned by the Town of Thompson and Village of Monticello for work on their respective sewer treatment facility Congressman Benjamin Gilman, R-22, said Wednesday. The grant money comes from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which funds 75 percent of both the village and town projects and is adding another five percent for “innovative design.”

Frank Hartmann, a native of Cochecton, has been elected president of the NYS Conservation Council. He is well-known for his work in the conservation field and is president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County.

Construction on the Town of Delaware Sewer District #1, which will serve the Village of Jeffersonville and the hamlet of Kohlertown in the Town of Delaware is about to reach its climax, with the opening of the plan set for October 20. The township is still seeking federal funds to proceed with the construction of Sewer District #2 which will serve the village of Callicoon.

Among those traveling to Pulaski to try their luck at catching some salmon were Charles and Janet Clayton, the Charles Fisher family and the Ron Cucci family, all of the Callicoon-Hortonville area. Janet caught a 25-pounder and the group brought home 22 of the delectable fish to grace their future dinners.

The company that wants to build a microwave tower near Jeffersonville has asked the Town of Bethel Planning Board to delay action on the controversial proposal for 30 days. RCI, a division of the Rochester Telephone Corp., needs more time for engineering studies on another tower where a problem has developed, company officials said, that may rule out installing a 190-foot tower on Swiss Road in the northwest corner of the town, according to Ruth Rosenberg, an RCI attorney.

The $1 million approved to rebuild the Roebling Bridge at Minisink Ford will be used to rehabilitate the steel structural system and anchorages in the historic span. The money was approved last week by the House of Representatives to repair the bridge, designed in 1848, but closed to vehicles in 1979.

30 Years Ago - 1993

An 1,800-acre parcel of property of the Neversink Gorge is being condemned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in order to obtain the hunting, fishing and trapping rights to the property. The recreation rights to the property are owned by Forestburgh resident Ben Wechsler, who has resisted state efforts to obtain the rights for many years.

Jim Hammett of Jeffersonville bagged a 19 lb. 4 oz. gobbler on the opening day that sported an 11” beard with 1 1/4” spurs

After 55 years, Monticello High School sweethearts, met and resumed their relationship which ended in nuptials on October 9 for Dick Smith Sr. of Monticello and Madeline Mulvey Pritchard of White Lake. She graduated in 1937 and he left school early to join the armed services. Both married and had families, careers and travels. Deciding to make a condolence call for a mutual friend, they met and the “sparks” were renewed. They are living in White Lake.

St. George’s R.C. Church in Jeffersonville will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a special Mass on October 22, followed by a dinner at the Villa Roma Country Club.

The Mechanicsville (Va.) Volunteer Fire Department Squad #7 returned home with a trophy for traveling the farthest (487 miles) after attending the Sullivan County Volunteer Firemen’s parade in Loch Sheldrake on September 11. They were hosted by the Jeffersonville Fire Department. Returning to Jeffersonville, a barbecued chicken supper was served to the visiting firemen who enjoyed conversation with the local firemen and their spouses, totaling a number of 125. Breakfast was served the next morning at the firehouse before the visitors returned home. 

The Delaware Valley Eagles clinched the Division V football title with a 35-0 win over the Roscoe Blue Devils.

20 Years Ago - 2003

A local shelter will get some big-time exposure Wednesday evening. PAX TV will air its special on Liz Keller and Glen Wild Animal Rescue on October 22 during its usual airing of “It’s a Miracle.” The focus is on Miracle, a dog discovered in the woods of Monticello a few years ago, badly beaten. His path to recovery will be chronicled with an emphasis on Keller’s role in rescuing stray animals in need.

The Sullivan County Democratic Party held its 87th annual Jeffersonian Dinner Sunday at Kutsher’s in Monticello, honoring the late Assemblyman Jake Gunther III and retiring Democratic Party Chair Bob Krutman. Keynote speaker for the event was New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi.

A new development in Sackett Lake will be up for discussion Wednesday. The new owner of the former Laurels Hotel has been planning to refurbish the hotel and add 245 condos with a nine-hole golf course.

“Resident of the Year” was awarded to Rev. Kenneth Davis from the Roscoe Nursing Home. The staff presented him with a plaque and beautiful cake. His sisters, Lois Davis and Ethel Gabrielsen, and brothers Chet Davis and William Davis were present to help celebrate the occasion.

Livingston Manor’s Homecoming Queen this year is Danielle Murphy. Chosen as Homecoming King is George Thomas. The Wildcats defeated Eldred, 34-14, in their football contest Saturday.

The inaugural Jake Classic golf outing was held on Sunday at the Tarry Brae Golf Course in South Fallsburg. Proceeds from the event will be used to establish the Jacob E. Gunther III Memorial Criminal Justice Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to two high school seniors upon graduation.

10 Years Ago - 2013

The lights are off and the chairs up on tables inside Fiddle’s Dari-King, a Sullivan County icon located along what was, until recently, the famous Parksville traffic stop on the Quickway. The relocation of Route 17/future Interstate 86 to the south led to an untenable drop off in business, and the ice cream stand closed before what would have been its 50th season.

The students in Miss Galligan’s first grade class at the Kenneth L. Rutherford ES in Monticello were excited and surprised to receive a special gift at the end of their first week of school. Sarah Weeks, a well-known author who spends a great deal of time writing at her home in Callicoon Center, donated two new books to each student in the classroom after a successful first week of school.

John Johnston, Livingston Manor native and retired science teacher from Nanuet High School, shared his pride and joy with fellow retirees of the Sullivan County Retired Teachers: a cutter which dates back to 1910 and belonged to John’s grandfather, William G. Johnston. The sleigh was restored to its original beauty by Amish craftsmen in the Lancaster area.